Travelling abroad is now gaining popularity, yet it also raises serious concerns about social integration. Though observing time-honored customs and traditions of the host country is somehow beneficial, I think rigid adherence can pose severe problems due to the loss of personal identity and old-fashioned rituals.
It is true that following local customs and traditions is a token of cultural appreciation. The modern world is characterized by diverse civilizations with their own unique features. If foreigners travel to one place and stay out of accordance with regional long held beliefs, they can hardly enjoy/relish the local uniqueness as well as enthusiastic welcome. Seemingly, this adherence provides a springboard for cultural diffusion and social cohesion. On a broader scale, there will be no sign of exclusion. This homogenization consolidates the national brand with the hospitality and helpfulness of local citizens. Together with cross-cultural exchange, these factors will boost tourism by drawing in huge influxes of tourists using national image.
With that being said, should people blindly follow the customs and traditions of the host area, inherent characteristics fostered by their mother country may easily be eroded. With rigidity and compulsion in mind, individuals force themselves to be constantly in line with foreign beliefs, overlooking personal desires, national identities, and even widely accepted morals. Moreover, some traditions are now obsolete. They may involve violent and gory deeds, chauvinism or conservative ways of thinking. Staunchly abiding by these beliefs simply bogs the whole society down as it fails to catch up with modern ideology. In the worst-scenario cases, without proper consideration, people may perpetuate the false belief, thereby leading aberrant and deviant lives.
All things considered, I maintain that foreign travellers can still follow local customs and traditions, but they should at the same time opt for the morally correct lifestyle. In doing so, they can maintain their beauty appreciation, personal uniqueness and keep themselves up to date.